Peirce College vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Peirce College in Philadelphia, PA with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia State University is larger than Peirce College based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 929 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Peirce College is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Peirce College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Peirce College 13:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Peirce College vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Peirce College or VSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Peirce College than VSU ($13,290 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peirce College are 34.1% lower than at Virginia State University ($8,800 vs. $13,355).
• Peirce College is 50% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $5,017 more per year; $15,060.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at VSU than at Peirce College (about $7,590 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $15,060.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peirce College than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 131.8% larger than aid received by Peirce College students ($12,447 vs. $5,370).

Peirce College vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Peirce College or VSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VSU and Peirce College.

• Peirce College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Peirce College - Open admission; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.

Peirce College vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Peirce College and VSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Peirce College's (27%).
• Graduates from Peirce College earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia State University graduates have a $6,625 lower median loan debt than Peirce College graduates ($29,500 vs. $36,125).
• Among borrowers, VSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peirce College graduates ($305 vs. $373).
• More Peirce College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.